Shaun Parker

A hire car can offer excellent value for money with the freedom to see everything your destination has to offer.

Many people are put off hiring a car because they have heard scare stories of scams and rip-offs, but hiring a car for your holiday does not need to be a hassle. If you follow a few simple steps you can get the most from your car hire and avoid your holiday turning into a nightmare.

Val d'Isere is a winter sports haven that has attracted skiers since the first ski lift was installed in 1936. Situated in the Savoie area of France, near the border with Italy, Val d'Isere attracts an enormous number of tourists making the population of this small alpine village swell to fifteen times its normal size in winter.

Located, at its lowest point, 6070 feet from sea level, Val d'Isere is in the perfect geographical situation to guarantee snow.

Tuscany, the birthplace of Italian language and civilisation is perhaps an obvious choice for a holiday destination. Demand for access to the Tuscan countryside, which has inspired holidaymakers and artists for generations, has resulted in the growth of 'agriturismo' in the region: hotels in farm settings, apartments and villas in former agriculture buildings.

Part of the "Four Valleys" ski area of the Swiss Alps Verbier offers the combination of diverse skiing terrain and strong Swiss-French culture making it a haven for the cosmopolitan skier. Situated 1500m from sea level Verbier's altitude and geographical position means it benefits from views of the Matterhorn to the east Mont Blanc to the west.

In addition to Verbier, common ski passes allow the user access to the surrounding La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz and Thyon.

Morzine is a ski resort that blends traditional architecture with modernism to provide the draw to attract visitors all year round. Set in a little valley in the heart of the Portes du Soleil area of France Morzine delivers much to welcome its visitors.

Unlike many resorts it is clear that development has been controlled to maintain the village's alpine charm.

Courchevel is the name given to the ski resort situated in the Savoie region of the French Alps. Courchevel is a series of small villages whose names reflect their height in metres. Part of the three valleys (the largest collection of ski runs in Europe) it offers endless opportunities for alpine adventure. Courchevel 1850 was the first place to be built from nothing (rather than developing from an existing village.

Meribel is a tastefully designed ski resort situated in the Vanoise National Park in the French Alps. Meribel comprises of three neighboring villages characterized by their chalet-style architecture. The three villages are perfectly located for skiers and snowboarders wishing to explore the largest linked skiing area in the world - the three valleys.

"I'm sorry but you were not put forward for the job as you don't have the right experience". Everyone's heard this at least one time in their career. It's the classic vicious circle... how can you get experience if no-one will give you a chance to get experience!

It can be very frustrating for any job seeker to be told this again and again.

Medical Tourism is a fascinating new trend that sees people leaving the UK to receive medical treatment overseas. Luxury service and period of recuperation in the sun are two of the factors that are encouraging an increasing number of Brits to have their elective surgery abroad. In 2006 50,000 Britons travelled abroad for low cost medical treatment.

When travelling to Austria it is imperative to try and take in as much as possible, even on business it is often possible to make a little more of your stay by being mobile and getting yourself a hire car. In fact for many people Austria is about Skiing or perhaps romance in Vienna but there is so much more to the country.

However, all that is about to change as in 2008 Austria comes under the spotlight like never before as the sporting elite from all Europe arrive for the 2008 UEFA Euro Championship.